bathing a cat

darkangel8603

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My dad came to me this morning and said "You need to bath your cat!" I said why? He said "he smells like a dog!" lol. I have gotten that complaint last weekend too. Today I decided to bath him, WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!! I found out he is a fighter, a biter, a climber, and a jumper!!!

I tried using the bucket method, which is two buckets or places to fill with water ( I used the bathroom sink and tub) as i read somewhere it may be helpful because the sound of running water freaks them out. It didn't help at bit. So after a while, and after I have achieved in wetting him down and shampooing him, I just couldn't get him rinsed, so I called my dad in to help. Long story short, he now clean, and I have almost used up almost all the bandages that were left in the box.

I wonder what are your methods of bathing a cat (when the cat really neeeds it, as cat don't usually need baths)??
 
found this at this web http://billstclair.com/blog/stories/bathingcats.html
i laughed, its soo true!!!

Some people say cats never have to be bathed. They say cats lick themselves clean. They say cats have a special enzyme of some sort in their saliva that works like new, improved Wisk - dislodging the dirt where it hides and whisking it away.

I've spent most of my life believing this folklore. Like most blind believers, I've been able to discount all the facts to the contrary, the kitty odors that lurk in the corners of the garage and dirt smudges that cling to the throw rug by the fireplace.

The time comes, however, when people must face reality: when they must look squarely in the face of massive public sentiment to the contrary and announce: "This cat smells like a port-a-potty on a hot day in Juarez."

When that day arrives at your house, as it has in mine, I have some advice you might consider as you place your feline friend under your arm and head for the bathtub:

Know that although the cat has the advantage of quickness and lack of concern for human life, you have the advantage of strength. Capitalize on that advantage by selecting the battlefield. Don't try to bathe him in an open area where he can force you to chase him. Pick a very small bathroom. If your bathroom is more than four feet square, I recommend that you get in the tub with the cat and close the sliding-glass doors as if you were about to take a shower. (A simple shower curtain will not do. A berserk cat can shred a three-ply rubber shower curtain quicker than a politician can shift positions.)

Know that a cat has claws and will not hesitate to remove all the skin from your body. Your advantage here is that you are smart and know how to dress to protect yourself. I recommend canvas overalls tucked into high-top construction boots, a pair of steel-mesh gloves, an army helmet, a hockey face mask, and a long-sleeved flak jacket.

Prepare everything in advance. There is no time to go out for a towel when you have a cat digging a hole in your flak jacket. Draw the water. Make sure the bottle of kitty shampoo is inside the glass enclosure. Make sure the towel can be reached, even if you are lying on your back in the water.

Use the element of surprise. Pick up your cat nonchalantly, as if to simply carry him to his supper dish. (Cats will not usually notice your strange attire. They have little or no interest in fashion as a rule. If he does notice your garb, calmly explain that you are taking part in a product testing experiment for J.C. Penney.)

Once you are inside the bathroom, speed is essential to survival. In a single liquid motion, shut the bathroom door, step into the tub enclosure, slide the glass door shut, dip the cat in the water and squirt him with shampoo. You have begun one of the wildest 45 seconds of your life.

Cats have no handles. Add the fact that he now has soapy fur, and the problem is radically compounded. Do not expect to hold on to him for more than two or three seconds at a time. When you have him, however, you must remember to give him another squirt of shampoo and rub like crazy. He'll then spring free and fall back into the water, thereby rinsing himself off. (The national record for cats is three latherings, so don't expect too much.)

Next, the cat must be dried. Novice cat bathers always assume this part will be the most difficult, for humans generally are worn out at this point and the cat is just getting really determined. In fact, the drying is simple compared to what you have just been through. That's because by now the cat is semipermanently affixed to your right leg. You simply pop the drain plug with you foot, reach for your towel and wait. (Occasionally, however, the cat will end up clinging to the top of your army helmet. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to shake him loose and to encourage him toward your leg.) After all the water is drained from the tub, it is a simple matter to just reach down and dry the cat.

In a few days the cat will relax enough to be removed from your leg. He will usually have nothing to say for about three weeks and will spend a lot of time sitting with his back to you. He might even become psychoceramic and develop the fixed stare of a plaster figurine.

You will be tempted to assume he is angry. This isn't usually the case. As a rule he is simply plotting ways to get through your defenses and injure you for life the next time you decide to give him a bath.

But at least now he smells a lot better.
 
Talk to your local vet about buying sleeping pills made specifically for your cat so that you can give the cat a bath while the cat is asleep then when the cat wakes up on its own. You will have a nice smelling coat of fur, not to mention petting the cat in your arms will be made so much better. The cat will be very well rested and happy.

You also might want to check natural plants that would help a cat sleep then wake up after its bath. This way you are safe and the cat gets a bath and is 100% clean.

I am sure your father and you will be much, much happier to have a cat that does not put up a fight and not only that it will be more humane and more fair to the cat so that the cat does not get scared, hiss and put a fight when the cat does not understand you are trying to help the cat. :) :thumb:
 
I never had problem giving my cats a bath in the past.

I just put a cat in the tub and shampoo and rinse....

My cats didn't scratch me at all.
They trusted me and they knew who is the boss.

So what you need to do is get your cat to trust you and make that cat think that its claw and scratching doesn't bother you.

And just gently put that cat in the water and calm it down and let it know that the water is harmless.
 
I have two cats here and one of them stinks like hell. It's my husband's cat, Oreo. Every time he takes a shit then he slides his ass on the rug. Sheesh! Anytime he jumps on my lap, I screamed gosh you SMELL! My husband went to get him and grabbed Summer's Eve (for women) since it's a mild soap and wiped Oreo's ass with a paper towel. It works fine.
 
Sorry I had to laugh...:giggle: At least your husband did do something...


Catmandu said:
I have two cats here and one of them stinks like hell. It's my husband's cat, Oreo. Every time he takes a shit then he slides his ass on the rug. Sheesh! Anytime he jumps on my lap, I screamed gosh you SMELL! My husband went to get him and grabbed Summer's Eve (for women) since it's a mild soap and wiped Oreo's ass with a paper towel. It works fine.
 
I think the best way to bathe your cat is to give it a beer and tape it's claws. :P
 
I tends bath my cats... seems fine.. which good thing start up kitten.. get used w/water.. tiny water.. not fill up..
when kitten become adapt that water once in 2 wks.. so far til now my 3 cats loves water.. and enjoy it.. licking licking...
:D

I don't mean brag but used to be prevouisly old cat owner.. :D
Espically 14 yrs ago.. Brat (my cat's name) doesn't like near water and knew water running.. and thinks I'm bath but not... pretend.. I go bath.. Brat came and watch me.. I grabbed him.. and put into the tub... *howling pain my hand* Really bad news.. end up 4 holes on my hand..
Nice... how am I smart enough to think?... LOL
 
OOOOOUCCCCCCCCH! Darn at Brat did that to you! LOL! Did you go to ER?

GalaxyAngel said:
I tends bath my cats... seems fine.. which good thing start up kitten.. get used w/water.. tiny water.. not fill up..
when kitten become adapt that water once in 2 wks.. so far til now my 3 cats loves water.. and enjoy it.. licking licking...
:D

I don't mean brag but used to be prevouisly old cat owner.. :D
Espically 14 yrs ago.. Brat (my cat's name) doesn't like near water and knew water running.. and thinks I'm bath but not... pretend.. I go bath.. Brat came and watch me.. I grabbed him.. and put into the tub... *howling pain my hand* Really bad news.. end up 4 holes on my hand..
Nice... how am I smart enough to think?... LOL
 
All my life, I always have cats.. Now I dont have cats since Allen born.. due to his allergy.. anyway.
I sometimes have to give my cats bath..
most of them DO NOT like.. even hate it..
grab your cat back neck like mother carry baby by their mouth.

keep hold on the back neck.. and place in tub, keep talking them
like kitty, its alright.. have to do so quick..and make sure lukewarm or
warm..
after.. you need to towel wrap and hold on.. cuz its too wet for the
cat to lick them dry.. can cause hairballs later on.

Or.. they have waterless bath... spray.. but
my cats or dog dont like spray.. so i took out the tap and pour
in cloth and "wipe" on their fur.. it works.

:)
 
Mama2AFTIV said:
OOOOOUCCCCCCCCH! Darn at Brat did that to you! LOL! Did you go to ER?

ain't going ER.. forget it..
They would think I'm dumb why I bathe cat ?
so I applied First Aid cream and 4 band aid.. took to heal for 1 1/2 wks.. i'm glad it's over.. afterall I ain't going bath Brat.. anymore.. but already passed away.. which it's old cat.
 
That is a great tip about how to give a cat a bath. :) I don't have a cat so maybe someday. :)

DoofusMama said:
All my life, I always have cats.. Now I dont have cats since Allen born.. due to his allergy.. anyway.
I sometimes have to give my cats bath..
most of them DO NOT like.. even hate it..
grab your cat back neck like mother carry baby by their mouth.

keep hold on the back neck.. and place in tub, keep talking them
like kitty, its alright.. have to do so quick..and make sure lukewarm or
warm..
after.. you need to towel wrap and hold on.. cuz its too wet for the
cat to lick them dry.. can cause hairballs later on.

Or.. they have waterless bath... spray.. but
my cats or dog dont like spray.. so i took out the tap and pour
in cloth and "wipe" on their fur.. it works.

:)
 
All cats are different when it comes to taking them a bath, some hate it or some love it. Some cats will try to do anything to get out of the bath, which some of my past cats did. My friend's cat enjoyed taking the bath, also said meow, meow, meow.
 
I didn't see it personally, but one of my teachers said she had a cat that liked water. This cat liked water so much that when she heard the shower running, she'd run into the bathroom so she could jump in!
 
My cat and I had a very special relationship. When she was a tiny little cat barely the size of my palm, we used to wrestle and wrestle. I unfortunately trained her to attack my hand on sight (something I'll be smarter about when I'm ready to get a new cat), but we had the best times! I have photos of her scratching my hand and ransacking the place with me.

I also started putting her in water very early and she got used to it. She hated it, yes, but every time I bathed her she wasn't so mad at me afterwards. I used to wrap her up in a towel and cuddle with her in my bed under the blankets after our bathtime melee.

Good memories. Good times. I miss my cat.
 
Awww, what happened to your cat now? It sounds like a nice bond you had.
Endymion said:
My cat and I had a very special relationship. When she was a tiny little cat barely the size of my palm, we used to wrestle and wrestle. I unfortunately trained her to attack my hand on sight (something I'll be smarter about when I'm ready to get a new cat), but we had the best times! I have photos of her scratching my hand and ransacking the place with me.

I also started putting her in water very early and she got used to it. She hated it, yes, but every time I bathed her she wasn't so mad at me afterwards. I used to wrap her up in a towel and cuddle with her in my bed under the blankets after our bathtime melee.

Good memories. Good times. I miss my cat.
 
sequoias said:
Awww, what happened to your cat now? It sounds like a nice bond you had.

I was moving last year and gave her to a friend for a few days. When I came back, my friend told me Tangent ran away.

My favorite thing about Tangent was when I'd come home after a long day, I'd say in this singsong voice, "Hiiiiii Taaaaaaangent! Do you know what the first-order derivative of you is?" She'd meow, and I would say, "That's right! It's the square of the cosecant of x! You're such a smart kitty, you should be teaching calculus!"

Then she'd attack my hand. LOL.
 
haha, that's really cute! I'm sorry about the cat ran away. :(

Endymion said:
I was moving last year and gave her to a friend for a few days. When I came back, my friend told me Tangent ran away.

My favorite thing about Tangent was when I'd come home after a long day, I'd say in this singsong voice, "Hiiiiii Taaaaaaangent! Do you know what the first-order derivative of you is?" She'd meow, and I would say, "That's right! It's the square of the cosecant of x! You're such a smart kitty, you should be teaching calculus!"

Then she'd attack my hand. LOL.
 
My cat hate having a bath, but he knows better than to scratch me.
Although, he hated being washed, but loves having his fur dried by hairdryer and then *comes out the brush* he'd perk up and command me to groom him. :)

PS: when he stalked away wet, he looked like an anorexic cat.
 
number one, my cat trust me, he just don't like bathes. I only bath him twice in his whole life, (7 months), once when he was kitten like 12 weeks old because he stinks and was not cleaning himself properly, and again yesterday because he smelled again. for my other cats, I never bath them they never needed it. So therefore my cats trusts me, and trust is not the issue for giving a bath to my baby, the issue ios that he hates water..

second thing, why would i want to drug my cat just to bath him? I rather be strachted up than drugging my baby for bathing.
 
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